Pattern controlled duplicating machine



April 7,1953 P. c. HOUGHAM PATTERN coN'rRoLLED DUPLICATING MACHINE 2SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Feb. 14, 194.9.

April 7, 1953 P. c. HOUGHAM PATTERN coNTRoLLED DUPLICATING MACHINE 2slamaTs-fsHEIaT 2 T m. vv -ILMWWHIWWWWWWNWWWWWMWWNW Xrn m s Nw m FiledFeb. 14, 1949 Patented Apr. 7, 1953 OFFICE e .PATTERN coNTRoLLEDDSUPLICA'ima MACHINE ramo. Brougham, Visalia, Calif. ApplicationFebruary 14, 1949, Serial No. 76,348 7 claims. (cl. 14A- 144) Myinvention relates to a duplicating machine for making bow staves.

One of the principal objects of this invention Vis to provide aduplicating machine of thisv class l Ywhich. is so designed that it willaccurately duplicate not only the different length limbs of -a vbowstave but also staves of different lengths and shapes.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a machine whichmay be quickly and easily adjusted vfor making staves of variouslengths, and also a machine which may be readily v operated. i

-An important object of this invention also is to provide novel andsimple means for flexibly holding eitheror both the pattern and bowstave, or other element, during fabrication of the latter.

A novel feature of this invention is to provide a movable carriage forsupporting one end Of the pattern or element to be fabricated, or both,for feeding the same longitudinally, and roller means for supporting theopposite end or ends of the' pattern, or element, or Y both during suchmovement.

Still another important object of this invention isthe provision of aroller for supporting thefree end of thel bow stave, or other element,which maybe readily adjusted transversely with respect to the guidingface of a pattern Yso that the thickness of the stave, or other element,may

be readily varied.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a novellyconstructed and operable vhead carrying a cutter movable directlyresponsive to the contour of the desired pattern. Another importantobject of this invention is to provide a novel and-- simple tiller orbow pattern, for a machine of this class, which may be z easily Vandquickly adjusted.

.with these and other objects in View, as will .appear hereinafter, Ihave devised a duplicating machine having certainnovel-features of 1construction, combination, and arrangement of i parts and portions, as

will be hereinafter described in detail, and particularly.setv forth inythe appended claims,referenceA being had to the yaccompanyingdrawingsand to the characters Y ofreferencethereon, which form a part of thisapplication, in which: Y

Figyl is a `plan view of my duplicating ma V -I chine; i Fig.` 2 is aside elevational View of theV same;

Figs. 3,4, and 5 arecross-sectional views, re-

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the side guides for the free end of the bowstave; i

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side view `of the adjustable patternor tiller, showing it adjusted for fabricating the top portion or limbof the bow stave;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7, showing the pattern 'adjusted forcutting the bottom limb of thebowstave; and, l f

Fig. 9` is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 7. l

Referring to the drawings in detai1,my improved duplicating machinecomprises a bed IIJ constructed from channel irons II and provided withan extension I2 at its `rearward end. Mounted in cross-members I3 and I4ofthe bed I0 are forward and rearward antifriction 'bearings I5 and I6which rotatably suppOrt a longitudinal feed screw I1. The forwardprojecting end of the screw I'I carries a gear I8 by which the s-crewcan be driven at a relatively slow speed from any suitable prime mover,such as an electric motor, not herein shown.

- Secured to the extension I2 are support brackets I9 which carrytransverse pins 20,for pivotally supporting a tiltable head 22. Mountedon the head 22 is an electric motor 23 having a pulley 24 connected toits shaft. The tiltable head 22 has depending bearing ears 26 at itsforward end, thev ears carrying "antifriction bearings 2l for rotatablysupport- 'ing a cutter mandrel 28. As'shown inFig. 3,

"the mandrel 28 is retained axially in place by a collar 29l at one endand byaV-belt pulley 30 at the other end, the pulley being adapted -tobe driven from the pulley. by means of a belt 3l.

The mandrel 28 carries a rotary` cutter element 33 substantially midway`between the. ears 26, and rollers :i4 and 35 disposed at the sides ofthe cutter element.

The rotary cutter element 3,3 is adapted to cut the upper edge or backside ofa long strip S `of wood to form,^for example, an archers y r bow.As is well known, an archers bow consists of a long strip of highlyviiexible wood provided with a substantially central handle portion orgrip, the strip taperingv from the grip portion toward the ends of thebow, that portion of the bow' which extends upwardly from the grip beingtermed the top limb and that portion below the grip being called thebottom limb of rthe bow. Since the arrow is shot from above i themidpoint of the bow, the supporting hand of the archer must be disposedpartially below the center ofthe bow. Consequently, in some instances,it is necessary to arrange the widened a carriage fill which, as shownin Fig. 5, is provided with lateral grooves for receiving longitudinalguides 4I of the bed lll so as to adapt the carriage to slidelongitudinally thereof. The carriage 4l! has jaws 42 which are adaptedto embrace the feed screw I7 to be fed thereby longitudinally along thebed, the jaws being drawn together to engage the screw by handleoperatedmeans indicated at 43. Carried by the slidable carriage 4l) is a holder455, between the upright sides of which is pivotally mounted, onadjustable studs 4S, a U-shaped frame di' upon which the midportion ofthe strip S rests (Fig.

.Clamps 48 are pivotally mounted on the studs G6 and are adapted to bemoved toward each other to grip the strip Sv therebetween. By thismounting means the strip s is held longitudinally, but permitted topivot on the aligned studs 46 for the purpose to be hereinafterexplained.

During the cutting operation, the strip S underlies the cutter element33 and is cut or planed thereby as the strip is drawn longitudinallytherebeneath. During this movement the strip S is held centrally of thebed l5 and cutter element 33 by means to be next described. Disposedjust forwardly of the cutter element 33 is a cross-member 48 to which ispivoted a pair of arms 49 carrying rollers 5!! at their free ends. Aslide element 5| is slidable longitudinally of the cross-member d8, andpivotally connected between the slide element and the free ends of thearms 49 are links 52. A spring 53 compressed between a lug on thecross-element i8 and the slide element 5| normally slides the latter ina direction to cause the links 52 to draw the rollers 50 toward eachother to grip the sides of the wooden strip S which, as shown in Fig. 1,may taper toward its ends. Thus, the strip is retained centrally of thecutter element 33, see Figs. 4 and 5.

Extending between the sides of the bed extension l2 is a support 55which is provided with a vertical bearing 56 disposed beneath the cutterelement 33. Adjustable vertically in the bearing 5S is a post 57.Between the sides of its upper forked end is rotatably mounted, on across-pin 58, a roller 65 which supports the free end of the .strip Sand maintains it in position to be engaged by the cutter element 33. Theroller 60 can be adjusted vertically by moving the post 51 in thebearing 56 and retaining the post in adjusted position by a Aset screw5I (Fig. 3), the post being moved vertically .by means of amanuallyoperated screw '60 and held against rotation by a key 6l. Asshown in Fig. 2, the head 22 is normally pivoted by gravity incounterclockwise direction to maintain the cutter element 33 in positionto perform the cutting operation and this action may be augmented by aspring 52 connected between the head and the extension i2. However, thehead 22 can be tilted upwardly, as Vindicated by dash lines in Fig. 2,to facilitate placing the strip S in the machine.

It is also desirable to press the work-piece S downwardly against thesupporting roller 65 `so as to prevent chattering of the strip beingcut, and this is accomplished by means of a roller 65 'rotatably mountedat the lower square end ofv a 4 spindle 66. The spindle 66 is slidablevertically on a transverse holder 61 whose ends are connected to uprightbrackets t8 mounted on the bed extension l2 by pins 69. A pair of rods10 project upwardly from the holder G1 and carry a cross-bar H at theirupper ends, the spindle 66 projecting upwardly through a hole in thecrossbar. A spring l2 is compressed between the cross-bar H and a collari3 on the spindle and functions to force the spindle downwardly tomaintain the roller 55 in engagement with the upper edge of the strip S.By moving the crossbar il vertically, the strength of the spring 'l2 canbe readily adjusted, see Figs. 2 and 4. A cam disc 'i4 is eccentricallymounted on the spindle 66 and is adapted to engage the cross-bar 1i,when rotated, so as to vdr-aw the spindle upwardly against the action ofthe spring 12 so as to elevate the roller S5 to facilitate placing thework-piece 5 therebeneath.

As previously pointed out, the strip S may be employed as an archersbow, and when so formed in this machine it is provided with a central,relatively deep hand-grip portion and tapering end portions, the gripportion having curved edges connecting with the corresponding edges ofthe free end portions of the bow stave. To cause the rotary cuttingelement 33 to cut the strip S to the coniguration just described, a pairof patterns i5 and 16 are employed. As shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 8, thepatterns 'l5 and 16 each comprise an upper element i1 and a lowerelement 18. The upper element 'H consists of a substantially rectangularbar having a curved surface 19 at one end, which corresponds to thecurved shape to be produced at the ends of the grip portion of the bowstave.

The lower edge of the upper element 11 is reduced in width to provide atongue which is adapted to be received in a longitudinal groove 8| ofthe lower element '18. The element 'i8 is .provided with a series oftransverse holes 82 which are adapted to align with similar holes in thetongue 80 of the element 17, and removable pins 83 inserted throughaligned holes retain the two elements'in selected longitudinallyadjusted positions. The holes 82 are spaced apart in increments of, say,one-inch, and alongside each hole is a scale-marking so that the element18 resembles a yardstick. The holes are adapted to be selectivelyaligned with index marks 85 or 85A on the upper element 71, these marksrepresenting the center points of the various bow staves to be produced.An indicator finger 86 on the upper lelement 'H is adapted to registerwith a center mark inscribed at the center of the strip S, when thepatterns 15 and 'IG are mounted on the machine, as next explained.

Each upper element 11 has an l.aperture 81 for receiving a mounting pin88 which is receivable in a hole in a projection of the holder 45 so lasto connect the patterns 15 and 'IB to the slidable carriagev forlongitudinal .movement therewith. The free end of each pattern 15 and I6is supported by a grooved roller 90 (Fig. 3) mounted for rotationbeneath one of the rollers 35 which rests upon the upper edge of apattern. As will be apparent from the foregoing, the rollers 34 and 35,which rest upon the patterns 'l5 and T6, serve to raise and lower thehead 22 'and the cutter element 33 so as to cause the latter to cut theupper edge of the strip .YS to a shape corresponding 'to that of thepatterns during longitudinal sliding movement of the carriage 40 fromright to left, as viewed in Figs. 1

-spondin-g to only one-half the bow stave. vthis arrangement, themachine need be made edges 19 and thus cause the cutter element to `cuta corresponding curved portion at an end of the grip portion. Furthermovement of the carriage` under the feeding action of the screw I1causes the cutter element 33 to cut the upper edge ofthe free end of thestave S on a slope corresponding to that of the patterns.

While the patterns 15 and 16 might be made Vto conform to the shape ofthe entire bow stave `to be fabricated, they are herein shown as madesubstantially equal to and of a shape correonly substantially equal toone-half the total length of the bow stave S. Assuming that the bowstave is to have a top limb which is onehalf of 5*-10" from the centerof the `stave to its nock, the lower element 18 of each pattern -15 and16 is adjusted longitudinally of the upper element 11 until the holemarked 5'10" registers with the index mark 85 on the upper element 11,as shown in Fig. "l, whereafter pins 83 are inserted in appropriatealigned holes 62 .to retain these parts in adjusted position. Thew-ooden strip S is then placed in the machine Vand clamped in positionbetween the clamps 48 -on the carriage 40, the center of the proposed.hand-grip of the stave being aligned with the indicator finger 86. Thestave is inserted in the machine while the head 22 is in raisedposition,

and after clamping the stave in place the head 22 is lowered 4until therollers 34 and 35 rest j upon the upper edges of the patterns 15 and 16.

Atthe lstart of the cutting operation, the point 90 (Figs. 2, 7, and 8)of the patterns are disposed beneath the rollers 34 and 35. To start theduplicating operation, the motor 23 is started to cause rotation of thecutter element 33, and the 'clamping means 43 is operated to operativelyconnect the carriagev 40 to' the rotating feed screw l1. 4By thi-smean-s, the carriage is fed at a slowrate toward the left to draw thepatterns 15` and 16 and the wooden strip S in the same direction. Thus,as the rollers 34 and '3-5 ride down the curved slopingedges 19` of thepatterns,

the cutter element 33 is caused to cut the strip S with a like curve,this curve forming an end of the grip portion. As the cutting operationprogresses, the cutter element 33 planes the upper edge of the strip Salong a line which corresponds to the gradual slope of the upper edgesof the pattern-s. f

At the completion of the `shaping of the upper limb of the bow stave S,the stave is -unclamped and -reversed in the machine. When the bottomlimb of the bow stave is to be shorter than the upper limb, as is quitecommon, the pins 83 are removed and the lower elements 18 Islid to theleft (Fi-g. 8) until the bottom 5'10 hole 82 align-s with the index markB5, after which the pins are reinserted, the center line of the stave Sbeing aligned with the indicator :linger 86, as before explained. Suchrelative adjustment of the parts 11 and 18 of the patterns automaticallycompensates for the difference in the length of the upper and lowerlimbs of the bow to be produced, if -duplication of a bow of unequallimb length is the case, and thus the set- -ting up of the machine isgreatly simpliedand expedited. Likewise, if a bow having limbs of equallength is to be duplicated, the indicator arrow A is aligned with thehole indicating the proper length in the upper row of holes B2 Iso thatboth ends of the stave can be shaped without altering the pattern.During the cutting operation, the stave S can pivot on the studs 46.When the front side of a bow stave S is irregular, as is the case whenthe cut follows the grain of the wood, the back side cut in the presentmachine also follows this contour and yet is tapered in accordance withthe patterns 15 and 16. To facilitate the placing of bow stave strips Shaving curved tips, the holder '61 can be pivoted upwardly on one of thepins 69 by first removing the other pin 69. Y

While the duplicating machine has lbeen herein shown and described asembodied in a preferred form of construction, by way of example, it willbe apparent that various modications might be made in the constructionwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, I donotwish to be limited `in this respect, but desire to be afforded thefull Iscope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriagemounted to move longitudinally thereon, a pattern having one end onlypivotally connected to the carriage, a readily releasable clamp means onthe carriage including a pair of transversely adjustable studs havingclamps pivoted on their inner ends and engageable against opposite sidesof one end of the article to be duplicated for pivotally holding saidend, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with acutter rotatably mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axisof the bed, vertically adjustable roller means for supporting the freeend of the article pivotally held by the clamp means, the roller meansbeing positioned on the bed below the cutter, a second roller meansdisposed below said cutter head for supporting the free end of thepattern, means in connection with the bed and the head for lowering thecutter on the article, and roller means on the head adapted to roll uponthe pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so `as to jthereof, apivoted clamp means on the carriage between the patterns for pivotallyholding one end of the article to be duplicated, a cutter headadjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatablymounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, a rstroller means for supporting the opposite free end of the article held bythe clamp means, the first roller means being positioned on the bedbelow the cutter, a second roller means for supporting the free end ofeach pivoted pattern, means in connection with the bed and the head forlowering the cutter on the article, and roller means on the head adapted:to roll upon the pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so as tocause said cutter to follow the contour of the pattern.

3. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriagemounted to move lonjpattern.

gitudinally thereon, a pattern having one end pivotally connected to thecarriage, a pivoted clamp means on the carriage alongside the patternfor lpivotally holding one end of the article to -bc duplicated, acutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutterrotatably mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of thebed, roller means for supporting the free ends of both the pattern andthe article,

article. said roller resting upon the pattern to cause the cutter tofollow the contour of the 4. In a duplicating machine of the classdescribed, a bed, a carriage mounted to move lon- 'gitudinally thereon,a pattern having one end pivotally connected to the carriage, a clampmeans on the carriage, said clamp means having spaced pivotal jawsmounted to be adjusted to- 'ward and away from each other on an axistransverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed for 'pivotally holdingone end of the article to be duplicated, a cutter head adjustablymounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on anaxis also transverse to the lon- "gitudinal aXis of the bed, a firstroller means Vfor supporting the opposite free end of the arti- A cleheld by the clamp means, the iii-st roller means being positioned on thebed below the cutter, means in connection with the bed and the head forlowering the cutter on the article, and a second roller means on thehead disposed coaxially of said cutter and adapted to roll along thepattern during longitudinal movement thereof so as to cause said cutterto follow the contour of the pattern.

5. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriagemounted to move longitudinally thereon, -a pattern having one endVpivotally connected to the carriage, a pivoted clamp means on thecarriage alongside the pattern for pivotally holding one end of thearticle to be duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bedand provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the bed, a pair of rollers mounted on axes alsotransverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, both rollers beingpositioned substantially below the cutter, the free ends of both thepivoted pattern and the pivoted article scribed, a bed, a carriagemounted to move longitudinally thereon, a pattern pivotally connected tothe carriage, a pivoted clamp means on the carriage for pivotallyholding one end of a ilexible article to be duplicated, a cutter headadjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatablymounted on an axis transverse tol the longitudinal axis of the bed, afirst roller means for supporting the free end of the article held bythe clamp means, the first roller means being positioned on the bedbelow the cutter, yield-able means for centering said opposite end ofthe flexible article on the roller means, means in connection with thebed and the head for lowering the cutter on the article, and a secondroller means on the head adapted to roll along the pattern duringlongitudinal movement thereof so as to cause said cutter to follow thecontour of the pattern.

7. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriagemounted to move 1ongitudinally thereon, a pattern having one endpivotally connected to the carriage, a pivoted clamp means on thecarriage alongside the pattern for pivotally holding one end of thearticle to Vbe duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bedand provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis ytransverse tothe longitudinal axis of the bed, a pair of rollers mounted on axes alsotransverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, both rollers beingpositioned substantially below the cutter, the free ends of both thepattern and the article each riding upon one of the rollers of said pairof rollers, means for adjusting one of the rollers vertically withrespect to the other, means in connection with the bed and the head forlowering the cutter on the article, and roller means on vthe headadapted to roll along the pattern directly above said roller whichsupports the pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so as to causesaid cutter to follow the contour of .the pattern.

PAUL C. HOUGHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 304,873 Tavener Sept. 9, 1884385,125 Lee June 26, 1888 469,459 Wright Feb. 23, 1892 487,889 MartinDec. 13, 1892 492,338 Ream Feb. 21, 1893 1,356,726 Lundquist Oct. 26,1920 2,265,064 Day Dec. 2, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date156,867 Great Britain Jan. 20, 1921

